By Sarah Fullerton
Digital Communications Specialist
An enriching undergraduate experience can make all the difference when applying for medical school. That’s why Anooshah Nasim (BSc ’20) began her path to medicine at the University of Waterloo, where she took advantage of the university’s academic and extracurricular opportunities to achieve her goal of attending medical school.
Nasim chose the University of Waterloo for its strong reputation in medical sciences. Throughout her undergraduate and master’s studies, she balanced her coursework with volunteer work at local food banks and shelters to gain valuable real-world experience. As a graduate student, she further honed her leadership skills as a Teaching Assistant in an undergraduate health sciences course.
“My coursework in the Faculties of Science and Health gave me a strong foundation to pursue graduate studies at Waterloo and the confidence to take the MCAT exam and apply to medical school,” says Nasim.
Accepting her offer to the American Canadian School of Medicine (ACSOM), Nasim embarked on an exciting path, moving to a new country to pursue her dream. While adapting to a new culture came with challenges, she quickly found a sense of belonging at ACSOM, thanks to its close-knit community.
As a not-for-profit medical school, ACSOM offers a unique learning environment where students benefit from small class sizes. Now in her second year, Nasim is embracing hands-on learning experiences that are shaping her both as a medical professional and as a person. She has even launched a new campus club, bringing together other students with a passion for research to collaborate on research methodologies.
“I feel confident I made the right choice in coming to ACSOM,” she says. “While I don’t know what area of medicine I want to specialize in yet, I am enjoying the journey as I work towards finding what I am most passionate about.”
Beyond academics, Nasim is embracing the perks of her new home – especially the warm weather! On her off days, Nasim enjoys exploring the beauty of the Caribbean island with its picturesque beaches and landscapes, perfect for winding down after a busy week of studies.
Interested in medical school? The Faculties of Science and Health at the University of Waterloo can help you get there. Explore the University of Waterloo’s steps to careers in health and medicine to discover a program that’s right for you. Our medical school pathways program page can help you discover all our medical school partnerships that will bring you a step closer to achieving your dream of pursuing medicine.